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fishonhead's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death
Minor: Domestic abuse
monalyisha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I know that SAA is prolific & well-loved; this was my first time reading her writing. It was…sort of a mixed bag. I liked her characters. I thought they were sweet. I enjoyed the magical elements (especially the ghosts) and the light romance. It bothered me that Charlotte, blonde & boho, supported herself by doing henna (cultural appropriation). The worst of it, though, was the sheer number of similes and metaphors per page. It was a little absurd. 😬
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault
r_j_setser's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
"Book lovers can spot a wrapped book a mile away."
This was a beautiful and fun book! Zoey, Charlotte, Mac, and Oliver kept me laughing, feeling comforted, and fully engaged in their story. It was simple, but in a complimentary way. The story and characters had such a depth to them without making you feel bogged down by their pasts or struggles. It was such a beautiful way of portraying the complexities of people and how, when you find the right people, those struggles that typically isolate you can have the same power to knit you together and create strong bonds. I loved how natural the communication was for these broken people and it just felt so much like "finally" finding people who will stay on your side through thick and thin. Zoey and Charlotte's friendship was so comforting and healthy, too. Exactly what female friendships should be.
The mysterious undertones kept me flipping the pages. The food--oh my goodness. I would buy a cookbook of recipes from this book (and other Allen books!). Since finishing Other Birds, I've started The Girl Who Chased the Moon (also by Sarah Addison Allen) and her food descriptions set my mouth to watering.
The romance was so sweet and comforting, too. The kind that makes you feel like watching your best friend fall in love with someone who is PERFECT for them. There are several mentions of casual s3x from background characters but there's nothing shown on page. Overall, I adored this book and as I mentioned above, I immediately started another book by this author because I wanted more. This would be a great summer read!
This was a beautiful and fun book! Zoey, Charlotte, Mac, and Oliver kept me laughing, feeling comforted, and fully engaged in their story. It was simple, but in a complimentary way. The story and characters had such a depth to them without making you feel bogged down by their pasts or struggles. It was such a beautiful way of portraying the complexities of people and how, when you find the right people, those struggles that typically isolate you can have the same power to knit you together and create strong bonds. I loved how natural the communication was for these broken people and it just felt so much like "finally" finding people who will stay on your side through thick and thin. Zoey and Charlotte's friendship was so comforting and healthy, too. Exactly what female friendships should be.
The mysterious undertones kept me flipping the pages. The food--oh my goodness. I would buy a cookbook of recipes from this book (and other Allen books!). Since finishing Other Birds, I've started The Girl Who Chased the Moon (also by Sarah Addison Allen) and her food descriptions set my mouth to watering.
The romance was so sweet and comforting, too. The kind that makes you feel like watching your best friend fall in love with someone who is PERFECT for them. There are several mentions of casual s3x from background characters but there's nothing shown on page. Overall, I adored this book and as I mentioned above, I immediately started another book by this author because I wanted more. This would be a great summer read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child death
Content/trigger warnings: Little to no cursing. No spice. No gore.therevallison's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What an absolutely beautiful book. Ghosts and birds, haunted pasts and hopeful futures, tears laughter. "Other Birds" is a magical book that I will treasure and remember.
And please read the acknowledgment when you're done.
And please read the acknowledgment when you're done.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
chimichannika's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book was really quite good and ended on a beautifully hopeful&optimistic note, made all the more meaningful because of all that the characters had been through in their lives, but a HEAVY disclaimer to proceed with extreme caution if you are a survivor of domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, or have religious trauma, as this book does heavily deal with those themes.
The premise of the book—without giving specific spoilers—, in the end, is people with varying kinds of horrible pasts living next to each other, by chance, and making this charming corner of the world a better place through their gradually deepening bonds of friendship and camaraderie. It ends on a hopeful note, and is truly about the love permeating throughout, but it does extensively handle those potentially-triggering/retraumatizing topics, at length, for multiple portions of the book.
I still consider it a good book, but would only recommend it to specific people with specific disclaimers, and also a note to please care for your own well-being if any of those topics can be especially triggering or distressing. I’m off to go seek out some comfort media because I physically reacted to the way some of the content triggered me, and need to go un-tense my muscles now.
And yet, the book had portions of charming and sleepy loveliness in it too, the way the characters began forming this “group of misfits” was so sweet, and the last couple chapters were so satisfying, showing where the characters were at now.
One other thing— I mentioned in the content warnings section a brief description of animal violence— the animal is okay, it survives, is loved, and treated very well after it’s rescued. just wanted to note that the animal is more-than-okay ♡
The premise of the book—without giving specific spoilers—, in the end, is people with varying kinds of horrible pasts living next to each other, by chance, and making this charming corner of the world a better place through their gradually deepening bonds of friendship and camaraderie. It ends on a hopeful note, and is truly about the love permeating throughout, but it does extensively handle those potentially-triggering/retraumatizing topics, at length, for multiple portions of the book.
I still consider it a good book, but would only recommend it to specific people with specific disclaimers, and also a note to please care for your own well-being if any of those topics can be especially triggering or distressing. I’m off to go seek out some comfort media because I physically reacted to the way some of the content triggered me, and need to go un-tense my muscles now.
And yet, the book had portions of charming and sleepy loveliness in it too, the way the characters began forming this “group of misfits” was so sweet, and the last couple chapters were so satisfying, showing where the characters were at now.
One other thing— I mentioned in the content warnings section a brief description of animal violence— the animal is okay, it survives, is loved, and treated very well after it’s rescued. just wanted to note that the animal is more-than-okay ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
r_clark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
hippiekender's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adore the found family aspect of this book. It’s devastating that they all felt so unloved as children, but I’m so glad they all found each other at the Dellawisp. I was so invested in finding out their back stories and rooting for all of their happiness.
The “ghost stories” were interesting and unique. I enjoyed the history and point of view each one offered.
The “ghost stories” were interesting and unique. I enjoyed the history and point of view each one offered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence